Former medical clinic will house mental health services in Webster City

The Hamilton County Board of Supervisors announced Tuesday that HeadStart and Hamilton County Public Health will be moving into portions of the former Webster City Medical Clinic building, located at 1610 Collins St., Webster City.

The large clinic facility, which became the property of Van Diest Medical Center when the Webster City Medical Clinic merged with the hospital clinic, was gifted to county last summer.

“We took over the ownership of the clinic building and that has been a long process,” said Supervisor Doug Bailey. “That process was completed Oct. 10, when we took possession.”

Bailey said HeadStart would be moving into the southeast corner of the building.

“We’ve actually started the demolition of that area in the last couple of weeks,” he said. “The remodeling will begin fairly quickly.”

HeadStart had been located in the Webster City Daycare building, but this year moved to the All Cultures Equal building as a temporary site until the new facility could be located.

“I want to say that the agency is very thankful that the county felt we were a very important part of the community and in our search for a permanent location, you were able to work with us to offer position and work through the process,” said Michelle Carden, HeadStart director. “I think this will be a great partnership.”

Hamilton County Public Health will move into the clinic facility in late spring or early summer, according to Bailey.

“That means we will be selling the current building that Hamilton County Public Health occupies on James Street,” he said. “We’ll soon start working on the process with the county attorney.

Since January 2013, Hamilton County Public Health has operated out of 820 James St. The county purchased the building, the former United Auto Workers Hall.

“We have the beginnings of what appears to be a very successful and well-used campus for the residents of Webster City and Hamilton County.

Bailey said the county is in the process is working with the mental health region, Central Iowa Recovery, of which Hamilton County is a part, to negotiate funding needed for remodeling and developing the services that could be provided there. He said he hoped to have more details in the next 90 days.

The former Otho/Duncombe Police Chief will be Webster County’s newest deputy.